Mit dem Ende des Schuljahrs 2014/2015 endete das polnische Jahr der berufsbildenden Schulen. Das Ziel dieser Initiative, die der polnische Bildungsminister anordnete, war die Wiederherstellung der Bedeutung und des Ansehens der beruflichen Bildung in Polen.
Poland - Year of vocational schools: time to restore vocational education
The 2014/15 school year has just ended and, with it, the Polish Year of
vocational schools. The idea for this initiative, decreed by the Minister for
National Education, came from a wish to restore the importance and prestige of
VET (Vocational Education and Training).
Although VET reforms have been
continuing for several years, results were not visible to the wider public.
Therefore, the education ministry planned a number of specific actions which
should improve VET system. These will be not be restricted to the 2014/15 school
year but also continue into the future.
The minister intended to convince
primary and lower secondary students and their parents that Polish vocational
schools have become modern and provide high quality general education alongside
excellent vocational education. The following priorities were identified:
- adjusting vocational education to labour market needs;
- creating flexible pathways to obtain qualifications;
- assisting students and parents with education and career planning;
- supporting school staff to improve their professional performance;
- improving the examination system;
- making vocational education more attractive;
- increasing the quality and efficiency of vocational education.
One priority was to cooperate with employers, to adjust VET to labour market
needs, prepare students to work in their professions, and organise
apprenticeships.
A VET advisory team was appointed consisting of ministers and
representatives from employers' organisations and trade unions. The main task of
the advisory body was to suggest measures strengthening cooperation between
schools and employers, to adapt VET to the needs of employers, local labour
markets, and an innovative economy, and to discuss future practical
training.
Another important activity in the year's agenda was directed at
students and their parents. The ministry developed tools facilitating access to
information about occupations and vocational schools:
- a new web portal for educational and vocational counselling and guidance was launched: this includes material on professions in which education is offered in particular regions, on schools, educational and vocational counsellors and institutions, and information necessary if choosing or changing educational and vocational path. The portal is linked to 16 regional portals offering more detailed region-specific information;
- a map of professions was created: it includes vocational schools of all levels and informs about vocational qualifications, practical training and internships, plus student achievements in external examinations.
Equally significant were promotional campaigns in social media
improving the image of vocational schools and encouraging young people to choose
vocational pathways. The minister engaged a well-known blogger, Rezi (privately
a student of upper secondary technical school) to promote VET on his YouTube
channel. In short films Rezi answered questions about VET, told funny stories
about his school and about practical training. His profile had over 850 000
regular followers and grew constantly during the campaign.
A special fun page
was created on Facebook where there was a competition for lower secondary and
vocational school students. Young people made short films telling why they have
chosen or were going to choose vocational education and selected entries were
presented on Facebook and YouTube.
Although the year of vocational schools
has concluded, its activities will go on; the consequences will continue to
arrive into the future.